When choosing your wood burning appliance, consider efficiency, emissions, and the size of the space you'll be heating. The cleanest wood-burning appliances are marked with EPA-certified and EPA-qualified labels.

Your local hearth retailer can help you make the best choice and provide you with options to suit your needs and budget.

• Types of wood-burning appliances
• What is the difference between an EPA-certified and EPA-qualified appliance?
• Alternative wood-heating options
• Additional resources

Types of wood-burning appliances

If you choose to heat your home with wood, use the cleanest wood-burning appliance possible. People heat their homes with a variety of appliances – either as a primary source of heat, as supplemental heat, or for ambiance.

• Wood stoves

  A wood stove is a type of wood heater that is usually made of cast iron or steel. Wood stoves that burn wood for fuel can be used as a primary or secondary source of heat.
  Learn about choosing the right wood stove.

• Fireplace inserts

  Fireplace inserts are similar in function and performance to free-standing wood stoves, but are designed to be installed within the firebox of an existing masonry or metal fireplace. A certified installer will make sure the flue liner in your masonry chimney is installed correctly. If your fireplace is factory built (or "zero-clearance"), you must use an insert that was specifically designed and tested for your unit to make it more efficient and less polluting.

• Pellet stoves

  Pellet stoves are similar in appearance to wood stoves; however, instead of wood, pellet stoves burn a renewable fuel made of ground, dried wood and other biomass wastes compressed into pellets. Pellet stoves operate by pouring pellets into a hopper which feeds automatically into the stove. Unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate.
  Learn more about pellet stoves.

• Fireplaces

  There are two major types of wood-burning fireplaces, traditional masonry fireplaces and pre-fabricated “low mass” fireplaces. Most fireplaces, whether masonry or low mass, are not used as a primary source of heat; their function is primarily for ambiance and secondary heating.
  Learn about choosing the right fireplace.

• Fireplace retrofits

  A fireplace retrofit is a device that is installed into an existing wood-burning fireplace. The primary purpose of the retrofit is to reduce wood smoke pollution from existing fireplaces. If installed and operated properly, fireplace retrofit devices can reduce pollution by approximately 70%.
  Learn more about fireplace retrofits.

• Hydronic heaters

  Hydronic Heaters (also called outdoor wood heaters or outdoor wood boilers) burn wood or other biomass to heat liquid (water or water-antifreeze) that is then piped into occupied buildings to provide heat. Hydronic heaters are typically located outside the buildings they heat, but may also be located indoors.
  Learn about choosing the right hydronic heater.

• Masonry heaters

  A masonry heater is a site-built or site-assembled solid-fueled heating device, consisting of a firebox, a large masonry mass, and a maze of heat exchange channels. It stores heat from rapidly-burning fires within its masonry structure, and slowly releases the heat into the home throughout the day. Masonry heaters currently do not require EPA certification. The Masonry Heater Association of North America Exitcan provide you with more information on masonry heaters and installers near your area.

Top of Page

What is the difference between an EPA-certified and EPA-qualified appliance?

manufacturers may choose to meet voluntary EPA emission standards. Appliances meeting these requirements are "EPA-qualified," and burn more cleanly than older, unqualified models. Check your state or local air quality agency to determine the types of wood-burning appliances that are approved for use in your area.

Alternative wood-heating options

In addition to wood-burning appliances there are also alternative heating options, including:

• Gas stoves

  Gas stoves are designed to burn either natural gas or propane. They emit very little pollution, require little maintenance, and can be installed almost anywhere in the home. Today’s gas stoves can be vented through an existing chimney, or direct vented through the wall behind the stove. While some models do not require outside venting, EPA does not support their use due to indoor air quality concerns. For more information, see the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association Fact Sheet on Gas Stoves (PDF) Exit

• Decorative fireplace gas logs

  Decorative fireplace logs can be installed in an existing fireplace. While not designed to be a significant source of heat, decorative logs provide an alternative to burning wood. Because they burn either natural gas or propane, they have low pollution emissions.

Top of Page

Additional resources

The following websites provide additional information to help you choose the best heating option for your home.

• Fuel Efficiency CalculatorExit - The US Energy Information Administration provides this on-line Excel® calculator to compare costs between different fuel types including hardwoods, softwoods, gas, oil, and electric.
• Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) Fuel Efficiency CalculatorExit- Compare the heating costs of wood, electricity, natural gas, oil and coal.
  • (Note: EPA does not support the use of non-vented gas stoves or fireplace inserts due to indoor air quality concerns) 
• Alliance for Green HeatExit - Information on federal and state policies.
• Wise HeatExit - Alternative heating reviews and information.
• Hearth.comExit - Find almost any hearth product on the market, and answer many of your hearth questions.
  • How much heat does that room need?Exit - Estimate the BTUs required to heat a room by using the room dimensions.